[quote=“Slocum, post:24, topic:64923, full:true”]
Right, it wouldn’t be practical. So we create a Master/Pilot exchange sheet(s) that touches on elements including items in the passage plan. It’s an administrative solution to an operational inconvenience.
Having gone ECDIS, I wonder what’s the purpose of printing and posting passage plans.
[/quote]When the pilot and the captain discuss the planned passage, each might know things that would affect decisions about when to start turns and how fast to be going. Examples: problems with steering and propulsion, current or recent changes in the channel depth and width. But, there may also be problems that the pilot and/or captain just don’t know about.
I enjoy a good exchange with the bridge team, and it should be occurring throughout the transit. From my viewpoint there appears to be more focus on documenting BRM (for future audits?) than actually getting the most from the resources available on the bridge.
Specifically with respect to the ECDIS, like GMDSS it’s a great idea but can become more a distraction than aid to navigation IMHO. Blasphemy, I know.
You’re right, ECDIS is way more distracting than running around trying to put 3 minute fixes on the paper chart using visual bearings and radar ranges IAW Bowditch’s recommended Position fix interval for pilotage waters. /s
You had me at “You’re right” but I hear that a lot.
I said “can”, not “is”. Since you mentioned paper, it had shortcomings but it did not have alarms or finicky dimmer switches/trackballs.
I don’t consider that blasphemy. You make a good point. Too many alarms have that “boy who cried wolf” effect on a bridge. I find myself mentioning more to pilots that certain alarms that sound off are superfluous and not of concern to the navigation at hand. Most of them are used to it and un-phased.
Like so many other things, the intention was good, it has just gotten out of hand.
I took the material I got when I took the ECDIS class and used them to write up our ship’s own procedures and checklists. That took up a lot of time and work. However having the ECDIS set-up properly just about eliminated the superfluous alarms.
I’m only familiar with the Transas but with Transas at least the “check” feature used while planning will tag each location that will cause an alarm. It’s a somewhat tedious task but still better than using paper charts.
